Boston Celtics star Kemba Walker may become the latest player to change his jersey number to honor the lateKobe Bryant, who diedin a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Bryant famously had two jersey numbers at different points throughout his 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers — he wore No. 8 for a decade after joining the team in 1996, and then switched to No. 24 in the 2006-2007 season, a number he would keep until his retirement from the NBA in 2016.
Walker, who also wears No. 8, may soon join these players.
Michael Reaves/Getty
“I’m considering [changing my jersey number], but I’m not sure yet,” Walker told reporters on Tuesday. “I’m definitely thinking about it, but we’ll see.”
Allen Berezovsky/Getty
Walker said he initially chose No. 8 because his birthday is May 8.
Lakers playerQuinn Cook is changing his jersey number from 2 to 28, to honor both Bryant (No. 8) and his daughter Gianna Bryant, who wore No. 2 on the Mamba Sports Academy basketball team.
Bryant had previously discussed the reasoning behind the number switch.
“When I first came in at 8, is really trying to ‘plant your flag’ sort of thing. I got to prove that I belong here in this league,” he oncesaid, according to Bleacher Report. “I’ve got to prove that I’m one of the best in this league. You’re going after them. It’s nonstop energy and aggressiveness and stuff.”
Adding of theswitch to No. 24: “Then 24 is a growth from that. Physical attributes aren’t there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater. Marriage, kids. Start having a broader perspective being one of the older guys on the team now, as opposed to being the youngest. Things evolve.”
source: people.com
